Promise Me (9 page)

Desire consumed her. When her arms wrapped around Sam's neck, soft mewing noises surrounded them, and she realized they were coming from her. She felt as if she were someone else, observing this embrace, knowing danger hovered, yet so caught up in the moment she couldn't move away.

His hand moved to cover, then gently squeeze, one breast. Fireworks exploded beneath her closed eyelids as hot liquid pooled in the sensitive place between her legs. She thrust herself forward in invitation, begging him to keep touching her, to keep kissing her, to never let this moment end. Every point where their bodies touched made her ache with a craving hunger.

He shifted the fabric of her corset to expose a nipple, moving his mouth lower to suckle her. She closed her eyes to savor the hot needles of pleasure radiating from his lips. His fingers tugged at the fabric again, and she panted as his mouth moved to the other sensitive peak.

She was lost in the moment, unaware of her surroundings, unabashed in her response to Sam. Her breathing was fast when he finally lifted his face to regard her.

“I want you, Amanda. I'm not a patient man, so if you don't want me, get up and walk out of this room right now.”

A flicker of fear washed over her at the stern tone of his voice. She swallowed, noting the hot honey warmth of his eyes. She tried to talk some sense into herself. Get up, a small voice within her cried. Get away, leave. You'll humiliate yourself, become a wanton, and destroy your reputation.

But another voice echoed, the voice of a woman denied pleasure far too long. A woman tired of playing by the rules, sick of being the good and obedient little girl. A woman starving for adventure, ready to experience passion.

A rush of confidence in her own sensuality coursed through her. Her hand traced a pattern down Sam's waistcoat, to the top button, and her fingers deftly unfastened it.

“I came down here this evening fully intending to seduce you.” Her voice sounded deeper to her own ears, as her fingers moved to the second button. “I'm no innocent maiden, Sam. I want you, too, and I'll be sorely disappointed if we don't make love tonight.”

His deep growl was her answer, and his mouth covered hers again in a penetrating kiss that stole her breath. When he finally lifted his lips from hers, satisfaction framed his face. He stood and gathered her in his arms.

He pushed through the kitchen door and headed for the stairs. She flicked her tongue in his ear, and he attacked the stairs two steps at time, his eagerness apparent and arousing.

He stopped at her door. “It's unlocked,” she said.

“Good.” Turning the knob, he kicked his way inside then used a shoulder to slam the door shut behind them. He headed for the bed and dropped her down upon it, then stood back with his arms folded across his broad chest.

“Now, do you want to tell me what the hell you're really up to, Amanda?”

She froze, stretched across the bed, her clothing all askew. He glowered at her. What had happened to that hot, lusty look he'd been wearing downstairs? And why did he seem angry with her, when he'd been so aroused just moments before?

“I'm...we...” She huffed. “You know damned well what we're doing, Sam. Now, can't we just please get on with it?”

He ran his fingers through the thick dark wave of his hair and swore. His face creased into a frown, but the look in his eyes told her he still wanted her. He swallowed, his fists clenched, his breathing ragged. He took a step toward her. “God, yes...” He swore again. “Hell no!” He paced across the room.

Amanda sat up on the bed and stared at him in confusion. She knew he wanted her, but he seemed engaged in a battle within himself, as if he were fighting the twin forces of desire and honor.

She adjusted the top of her corset. “You said you wanted me, Sam.”

He turned to face her, his gaze focused on her breasts, and he closed his eyes and uttered an oath beneath his breath. She was amused by his reaction. She was beginning to realize how much power a woman held over a man, and white heat uncoiled within her. Arthur had never found her desirable, and only made love to her to sire an heir. When it was apparent she was barren, he'd informed her he wouldn't be bothering her with a husband's demands. She had assumed there was something wrong with her. That she was frigid and cold.

Now she was discovering the power of desire. She didn't want to stop here. Somehow she needed to convince the man pacing around her hotel room that she had no reservations about tonight, even if he did. She had always heard it was easy for men to become aroused. She had no idea it would take this much persuasion to get Sam into her bed. She wondered again if there was something wrong with her, something that repulsed men. She would soon find out.

Drawing to her knees, she started to unfasten the ties that held her dressing gown closed. Sam seemed to panic.

“What are you doing?”

She pulled the gown from her shoulders, the silk swishing as she wadded it into a ball and threw it at him. He dodged, but never took his eyes off her as she stood up on the bed. Her mouth was dry, and her heart skipped a beat as a quiver of excitement danced through her. She didn't care, she wanted to slowly, sensuously strip her clothes off for him.

She shook her head, enjoying the way her hair swirled around her like a crimson cloud, hiding him from her for the span of a few heartbeats.

“I'm getting naked.” The words sounded deliciously naughty. He stepped closer. She stretched like a feline waking from a nap, the cool air washing over her skin to counteract the fire building in her lower belly.

“I don't think that's a good idea, Amanda. You still haven't told me what you're up to.”

She slowly unfastened her corset, enjoying the way his eyes followed her every move, the small beads of moisture that dotted his brow. She was having fun, and beginning to regret she'd never before explored this side of her nature. “I want to be a very bad girl, Sam. Won't you help me?” Her fingers inched their way down the soft, silky fabric, inviting his gaze to follow.

“I'm not sure...” His voice died when she pulled the corset apart, giving him a full view of her nearly naked form. He stood motionless, staring at her. When he finally looked up she could see that all indecision had disappeared. Her lips curved into a smile of invitation.

“Maybe I'm sure enough for both of us.”

Her fingers found the button on her drawers and she dropped them, leaving just her stockings and garters on. Leaning forward, she shook her head, then fluffed her hair and placed her hands on her hips.

“So, are you going to make me stand here all night?”

He crossed the room, put his hands around her waist and lifted her to wrap her legs around him, his palms kneading her flesh where he held her. His lips found hers and his scorching kiss filled her with primal need. She marveled that the two of them didn't burst into flames.

“Promise me,” she whispered.

He studied her carefully. “Whatever you want, darlin'. The sun, the moon, even the stars. All yours.”

She traced her tongue across his lips, then pulled back to enjoy his response. A quiver of delight sliced through her.

“Promise me you won't hold back, that you'll make love to me as if we're the only two people alive. That you'll make me feel all the things I've never felt before.”

He took a deep breath, then kissed her again.

“I promise, Amanda. I'll treasure you tonight, and I'll introduce you to pleasures you've never even imagined.”

She shivered at his words. She was acting like a wanton harlot, but for the first time, she felt incredibly, deliciously alive.

Chapter Seven

Sam couldn't believe he'd hesitated for even a moment. This was what he'd wanted since the first time he'd
met her. Despite all his noble plans to convince her to leave town and his vow to never touch her, never make love to her, his resolve dissolved in the face of the reality of a naked and enticing Amanda. His blood nearly boiled as it rushed through his body. His muscles tensed and his skin prickled where their bodies leaned into each other.

Her soft lips moved from teasing his earlobe to licking the exposed flesh at the opening of his shirt. He closed his eyes and swallowed an oath. She was sensual and yielding, and God forbid, he wanted her more than he'd ever wanted any woman.

When she squirmed in his arms, Sam knew he could lose control at any moment. His cock was rock- hard, and he didn't know if he could actually live up to the promise he'd just made to Amanda. He wanted to take his time arousing her before making slow, tender love to her until she was weak from the pleasure of it. He wanted to do all the tantalizing things that would satisfy a woman. Yet, his body throbbed with his own need, and he sensed he was barely capable of maintaining mastery of himself.

Amanda's delicate fingers finished unfastening his shirt. She gave him a saucy, heavy-lidded look.

“Sam, wouldn't it be easier if we were both naked?”

Sam gritted his teeth as the image of their bodies entwined upon the bed flashed through his mind. His erection tented the wool of his trousers, and he couldn't tell if this frightened or excited Amanda.

Her tongue traced a delicate pattern down his chest, and he closed his eyes to savor the sensation. Sam took a step forward to set her back upon the bed, then he fumbled with his clothes. His fingers felt thick and clumsy, and he couldn't get his boots off without stumbling. He took a deep breath and looked up to discover she was laughing.

“You're such a handsome, glib-tongued fellow; I thought you'd be better at this.”

Sam growled and tossed his boot across the room and flung his frock coat after it. His waistcoat lay crumpled at his feet and his shirt was fully unbuttoned as he folded his arms across his chest.

“You can't play with fire without getting burned, Amanda. I'll walk out of here right now if you're not sure about this.” He swallowed.
And go home and shoot myself
.

She stretched across the quilt, her softly-curved female body enticing him with all its secret delights. Her long, copper curls formed a halo of flame on the pillow, and he realized she wasn't going to send him away. He heaved a sigh of relief, because despite his offer, he didn't know if really could have walked away.

Sam fought a war of conscience, his badly tarnished sense of honor reminding him he was a scoundrel for staying with Amanda. He'd never intended to seduce her, despite his agreement with the mine owners. His plan had been to court her, earn her trust and send if back to Helena. When she' was gone he'd let it be known she'd been his lover.

Amanda's golden body shimmered in the light of the candles spread throughout the room. A heavy ache pulsed in his groin. Even the most well- intentioned and honorable man would find it hard to walk away from this angel.

“Are you afraid of me, Sam?” Her voice purred with confidence.

He removed his shirt and dropped down heavily onto the bed next to her. “Terrified, darlin'.”

She giggled, then quivered when his tongue started a slow passage from the hollow of her throat, down to suckle each nipple, before traveling farther to her navel. His fingers kneaded the soft flesh at the top of her garters. She panted in small breathless gasps as her eyes closed.

Sam savored the slightly salty taste of her skin. The intoxicating scent of her woman's musk, the unbridled, earthy, and ancient invitation for mating, told him she was fully aroused. His fingers moved up, and he explored the soft petals of her flesh, parting them with a gentle caress.

He stroked the small bud at the apex of her opening with one finger and her hips lifted, as if to draw him closer, deeper within her. His cock was rigid, and he could barely breathe, overwhelmed by the need to plunge into her sweet, soft body. He could bring her to the brink at any moment. But he wanted to give her more, so much more.

He withdrew his hand and she opened her eyes. Disappointment flickered there. He adjusted his position to lean over her, and his tongue found the place his fingers had deserted. Her legs spread wider and his fingers continued to knead her flesh.

She lifted her head from the pillow to reach down and gently push a dark lock of hair that had fallen forward to obscure his face. He lifted his chin and grinned at her. Her eyes glowed bright as twin emeralds.

“Now Sam! I want you right now.” Her brazen command fired his blood even more.

Sitting up in the bed to face him, she slowly unbuttoned his trousers. He followed her movements with tension stretching his nerves to the limit. Finally, she unfastened the opening, and her fingers found his erection.

He gasped when she slid her soft hand up and down his throbbing flesh. His blood bubbled as it whipped through his veins. It took all his self-control not to lose himself in the rhythmic movement of her fingers gliding over his skin. His heart hammered and his cock throbbed. He grew heavier and thicker.

She released him and leaned back upon the pillow and spread her legs wide, wrapping them around his thighs. Sam shook her loose to climb off the bed, then quickly peeled the trousers from his body. She observed him with curious abandon.